Genevieve C. Guerin Obituary
Genevieve Catherine Guerin, 92, of Essex, Massachusetts, passed away on Sunday, July 2, 2023, surrounded by family at home in Essex.
Genevieve was born to Henry Joseph McDonald and Catherine Gilmore McDonald on May 23, 1931. She went to school at St. Ann's, in Gloucester, Massachusetts for 12 years. She married Gilbert Edmund Guerin in Gloucester on September 1, 1952, and they enjoyed over 70 loving years as husband and wife. Genevieve worked at the electric company for a number of years before starting her large family while supporting her husband, in many capacities, at Wedgwood Pharmacy in Essex, Massachusetts. One of her most lasting memories was, at the age of eight, singing at the inauguration of Gloucester's Mayor Whalen.
Genevieve was a devout Catholic, making her home parish St. John the Baptist church in Essex for over sixty years. Genevieve lived the life of service Christ calls us to live. She was an accomplished soloist and self-taught organist, gifts she shared with parishioners at St. John's for many many years. She served as a Eucharistic Minister and loved providing food and beverages at the weekly coffee hours following Mass. Some of her fondest memories were the church bake sales where she loved the people and raising funds for her beloved parish, always selling out of the dozens of loaves of fresh bread which were baked by she and her husband, Gil. Genevieve was a zealous advocate for her husband, children and grandchildren, all of whom she loved unconditionally. She loved singing, flowers, gardens, quilting, knitting, creating stained glass, solitaire, going for walks, staring at the stars, driving fast, and burning her yard to the ground every Spring. She was both gentle and fiery. She was playful and goofy. She was wise but exuded humility. She loved hugs and holding hands. She revered Jesus and His mother, Mary. She will be missed greatly, but knowing she is in the place prepared for her by God, she is to be envied. We hope to see Genevieve again. We know where to find her.
Genevieve is preceded in death by her parents, her sister Veronica, her brother Richard, and her niece Emily.
Genevieve is survived by her husband, Gilbert E. Guerin and sister Margaret (McDonald) Coronel and her husband Frank. She also leaves six children (Cheryl Campbell-Lucas and her husband Mike, Gilbert B. Guerin and his wife Lisa, Sheila and Bev Barnard, Lisa and Christopher Collins, John and Kristyne Guerin, and Christopher and Sharon Guerin); fourteen grandchildren (Christin Campbell-Isilay, Caitlin Campbell, Colin Campbell, Joseph Guerin, Allison Borowski, Genevieve Oni, William Barnard, Peter Collins, Nate Collins, James Collins, Jonathan Guerin, Gillian Guerin, Madeline Guerin, and Nicholas Guerin); two great-grandchildren (Gwendolyn and Juliette Campbell, with three more on the way); niece, Eileen McDonald and her husband David; and many other nieces and nephews.
A Wake will be held at the Greeley Funeral Home, 212 Washington St., Gloucester, MA on Sunday, July 9, 2023, from 12 Noon to 3PM.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 52 Main St., Essex, MA and will be presided over by Father Paul Flammia on Monday, July 10, 2023, at 1PM. Burial will follow at the Spring St. Cemetery, Essex directly after.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be given in Genevieve's name to the New England Baptist Hospital, the Frederick C Basilico Endowed Chair.
